We will not always be successful
Continue your mission anyway
By Lou Occhi
After the crucifixion, the apostles were in fear for their lives. It wasn’t until they finally saw Jesus after the resurrection. Thomas was dubbed the “doubting Thomas,” but none of the apostles believed, even though Mary Magdalene told them she had seen Jesus, and they had seen the empty tomb. Still, their fear persisted until the Holy Spirit descended upon them.
Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles
1Corinthians 15:1-8
John 14:6-14
Today’s gospel from John precedes the passion, death, and resurrection. It reminds us how Jesus prepared His apostles and disciples for His return to the Father and encouraged them to continue the work He had started.
In my mid-40s, I decided to go to graduate school. Classes were from 8:30 to 10 PM. Needless to say, by 10 I was ready to go home. Frequently, the instructor would ask if there were any questions. I would hold my breath and pray that there would be no questions. Unfortunately, someone would ask about something the instructor had just said. All I could do was roll my eyes and sigh.
In today’s gospel, Jesus tells the apostles, “If you know me, then you also know my Father. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.” Phillip then asks Jesus to see the Father. I think Jesus must have felt something like I did at the end of my night class. In all fairness to Phillip, we do not necessarily know that the sentences about seeing the Father and Phillip asking to see the Father happened exactly one after the other. There may have been some discussion or time between those statements.
In the Old Testament, the Father appeared as a burning bush, a voice from a cloud, or other indirect means. Perhaps, we are not capable of seeing the Father in this life. Through Jesus, the Father has given us a person we can see and relate to. He even gave us a selfie in the form of the Shroud of Turin.
Jesus then said, “Whoever believes in me will do the works that I do and will do greater ones than these because I am going to the Father.” The followers of Jesus did not fully understand what He meant by saying He was going to the Father, and what He would commit them to do.
The question that came to my mind was what possible greater works could they do than those that Jesus had already done. After some thought, I decided it must be the ministry of Jesus. Jesus' ministry was limited to a relatively small area. The apostles and disciples would spread the gospel throughout the known world. Over 2000 years, the succession of Jesus’ followers would spread the word of God throughout the entire world. Finally, He reassures them that anything they ask in His name, He will do it. I’ll bet they remembered they could go to Him as they went to distant lands. This same assurance applies to us when we are in need.
Psalm 19 was written by King David around 1000 BC. It is about the spreading of the word of God. The refrain of the Psalm says, “Their message goes out through all the earth.” The second verse states, “Through all the earth their voice resounds and to the ends of the world, their message.” During David’s time, almost nothing was known about the extent of the world. Yet, this part of the Psalm is exactly right.
After the crucifixion, the apostles were in fear for their lives. It wasn’t until they finally saw Jesus after the resurrection. Thomas was dubbed the “doubting Thomas,” but none of the apostles believed, even though Mary Magdalene told them she had seen Jesus, and they had seen the empty tomb. Still, their fear persisted until the Holy Spirit descended upon them.
Immediately after their encounter with the Holy Spirit, their fears vanished along with their fear of death. They began to preach boldly and were understood by all.
The Sadducees and Pharisees were particularly bothered by their preaching. Gradually, they were pushed out of Jerusalem. They began preaching in new areas and spreading their message outside of their region of comfort.
The most zealous persecutor of Christians was Paul. Paul converted to Christianity and became a great preacher and writer. Today’s first reading is from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. In the letter, Paul tells the Corinthians to hold fast to the word he had preached. This indicates the apostles and Paul had to return to those already evangelized to encourage them not to drift away.
If you are wondering where the apostles went after they were driven out of Jerusalem, I will give you a brief list according to Christianity.com. Remember that the details are sometimes sketchy due to how records were kept.
Peter and Paul were both in Rome and martyred around 66 AD.
Andrew went to what is now the Soviet Union. In addition, he preached in Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey, and Greece. Eventually, he is said to have been crucified in Greece.
Thomas preached in Syria and Far East India. Legend has it that spears of four soldiers martyred him.
Phillip preached in Carthage and North Africa, where he was eventually martyred
Matthew ministered in Persia and Ethiopia. Reports of his death are vague. However, I am sure he is dead by now.
Bartholomew traveled to India with Thomas and back to Armenia, Ethiopia, and Southern Arabia. Details of his martyrdom are vague.
James was the son of Alpheus. There were three disciples named James, so there is some confusion about which one was the son of Alpheus. It is generally thought he preached in Syria. Josephus reported that James was stoned to death.
Simon, the Zealot, ministered in Persia and was eventually martyred there.
John ran the church in Ephesus and cared for Mary, the mother of Jesus. He is the only apostle not martyred.
The bottom line is that evangelization did not end with the apostles and disciples. It has been carried on for two thousand years. Remember that Jesus wondered if He would find faith when He returns. We are called to keep the faith going among our family, friends, acquaintances, and strangers. We will not always be successful. The apostles were not always successful, but by the grace of God, they continued their mission throughout their lives. So shall we.